Lyrics: Soul Vitamins

Life is the lyrics. Last month I sat at a graduation ceremony as students unleashed a heartfelt version of The Head and the Hearts’ Rivers & Roads. This one song was like a trigger firing off tears.

A year from now we’ll all be goneAll our friends will move away

Rivers and roadsRivers ’til I reach you.

Not to downplay the wonder of chirping birds and thunder… but lately its lyrics that snap me to attention like smelling salts. They serve me shots of wisdom, patch my fits of worry and provide slices of prayer. Not convinced? Let me introduce you to Multiplied by NEEDTOBREATHE.

God of mercy, sweet love of mine I have surrendered, to Your design May this offering stretch across the skies And these Hallelujahs be multiplied.

How can lyrics tap places in your soul that words alone can’t touch? Maybe its poetic ambiguity, enabling lyrics to become personal, as if they were written precisely for you.

The lyric love inspired several projects recently.

When you cross the threshold to our home, we now welcome you with lyrics. Stock rug from Target (circa 2012) and an application of paint to convey my “hello” message upon your arrival; or a farewell message upon departing.

Join me in the kitchen and you will find a few lyrical towels.

And a new day will dawn for those who stand longAnd the forests will echo with laughter.—Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long runThere’s still time to change the road you’re on.And it makes me wonder.

Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin (written by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant)

Last evening I was floating on a paddle board through a trail of cattails. As the sun fell, a flock of red-winged blackbirds took flight in a cooperative formation, bringing this song to life:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird, The Beatles (written by Paul McCartney & John Lennon)

Lyrics are my anchor, my life line, and my favorite sign on the path to redemption.

Perhaps lyrics are soul vitamins?

I bet you have lyrics dancing in your head. I would love to hear your theme song!

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2 Comments

Thank you for sharing your thoughtful reflections. I totally agree, the awesomness of song lyrics hitting you at just the right time in the right way is nothing but magical and beautiful!

I think my theme songs change daily, sometimes hourly! I was trying to come up with one song that was my main go to song that resonated with me above all others – and I came up with a top three.
1. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
2. More Heart Less attach – needtobreath
3. Harvest Moon – Neil young

Those are my stir the souls songs. I need to work on my list that make me want to dance and play those more!!!
Thank you Debbie for inspiring me to stop and reflect!!!!

In your musical travels you may or may not have come across the Beautiful South. When I got to thinking about lyrics with universal appeal a number of their songs came to mind. If you dig into their music I’m sure you will find a few gems that you’ll enjoy. Here is one to get you started – enjoy… https://youtu.be/hR9LYrCR_4I
Best wishes, Mr Cafe 🙂